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Vermont has three major utilities, each with different rates and features for solar owners. GMP offers TOU rates and a battery program. VEC has the highest per-kWh rate. BED has been 100% renewable since 2014. Net metering rules are the same statewide (PUC-mandated), but the retail rate you offset makes a big difference.
$0.2146
GMP Rate
~75% of VT
$0.2348
VEC Rate
~10% of VT
$0.1837
BED Rate
~5% of VT
7 Years
NM Decline
consecutive cuts
Section 25D Residential ITC: Expired
The federal residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. There is $0 federal credit for homeowner cash/loan purchases regardless of utility. Vermont has no state solar rebate.
All three VT utilities follow the same PUC-mandated net metering categories. The key difference is the retail rate you offset through self-consumption. Higher rate = more savings per kWh produced.
Green Mountain Power
Retail Rate
$0.2146/kWh
NM Credit (Cat I, 10yr)
$0.2239/kWh
TOU Available
Yes
Off-peak $0.1452/kWh, On-peak $0.3407/kWh (weekdays 4-9 PM)
Est. Payback (10 kW)
~11.4 years
Year 1 Savings
~$2,272/yr
Statewide (largest utility — most of VT outside Burlington)
Vermont Electric Cooperative
Retail Rate
$0.2348/kWh
NM Credit (Cat I, 10yr)
$0.2239/kWh
TOU Available
No
Tiered rate: first 100 kWh at lower rate, then $0.2348/kWh for usage above 100 kWh
Est. Payback (10 kW)
~10.7 years
Year 1 Savings
~$2,438/yr
Northern and eastern VT (rural areas, 32,000+ members)
Burlington Electric Department
Retail Rate
$0.1837/kWh
NM Credit (Cat I, 10yr)
$0.2239/kWh
TOU Available
No
Tiered rate: first 100 kWh at lower rate, then $0.1837/kWh for usage above 100 kWh. BED reached 100% renewable in 2014.
Est. Payback (10 kW)
~12.6 years
Year 1 Savings
~$2,018/yr
Burlington only (municipal utility)
Net Metering Rates Declining: 7 Consecutive Years
VT PUC has cut net metering rates 7 consecutive years. Every year you wait, the economics get worse. Lock in current rates before the next annual reduction.
GMP is the only Vermont utility offering time-of-use rates. This creates a unique opportunity for solar + battery systems.
$0.1452
Off-Peak Rate
All other hours
$0.3407
On-Peak Rate
Weekdays 4-9 PM
$0.1955
Arbitrage Spread
~$800/yr extra value
GMP is the only VT utility offering time-of-use rates. With a battery, you can charge during off-peak ($0.1452/kWh) and discharge during on-peak ($0.3407/kWh), capturing a $0.1955/kWh spread. Combined with solar self-consumption and GMP BYOD incentive, TOU arbitrage makes GMP the best utility for solar + battery systems.
Powerwall/Enphase Lease
$55/mo
2 units, 27 kWh
BYOD Incentive
Up to $10,500
Deadline: 2026-09-30
VPP Capacity
50 MW
Waitlist: 1,200+
VEC and BED do not offer comparable battery incentive programs. This is a significant advantage for GMP customers considering solar + battery.
You cannot choose your utility in Vermont. But understanding how your utility affects solar economics helps you make better decisions about system sizing, battery investment, and timing.
Best for solar + battery (TOU arbitrage + BYOD incentive)
Highest per-kWh value (best pure solar payback)
Lowest rate = slowest payback, but already 100% renewable
All VT solar installations require a Certificate of Public Good (CPG) from the VT PUC. The interconnection timeline varies by utility and system size.
| Utility | Timeline | Max Size | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMP | 2-4 weeks | 500 kW (Category IV) | Online portal |
| VEC | 2-4 weeks | 500 kW | Email/phone |
| BED | 1-3 weeks | 500 kW | In-person or email |
GMP
GMP handles CPG pre-screening for residential <15 kW
Largest VT utility; most installer experience. Fastest for residential Category I.
VEC
VEC coordinates with VT PUC for CPG. Member-owned co-op.
Rural territory, often requires site visits. Good member service.
BED
BED is municipal — may have additional local permitting.
Smallest territory (Burlington only). Often fastest turnaround.
It depends on your goals. VEC customers get the highest per-kWh value because VEC has the highest retail rate ($0.2348/kWh), meaning solar offsets more expensive electricity. GMP is best for battery + TOU arbitrage because it offers time-of-use rates with a $0.1955/kWh spread. BED has the lowest rate ($0.1837/kWh), meaning the slowest solar payback, but Burlington customers already pay the least for electricity and BED has been 100% renewable since 2014.
Yes. All VT utilities follow the same PUC-mandated Category-based net metering structure. The base blended rate is $0.1839/kWh, and Category I residential systems (under 15 kW) receive a positive adjustor of +$0.04/kWh for 10 years. The difference in solar economics between utilities comes from the retail rate you are offsetting through self-consumption, not from the NM credit rate itself.
GMP offers a time-of-use rate plan with off-peak at $0.1452/kWh and on-peak at $0.3407/kWh (Weekdays 4-9 PM). Solar panels produce most during midday (off-peak), but a battery lets you store that energy and discharge during the expensive on-peak window. This $0.1955/kWh spread can add approximately $800/year in additional value compared to a flat-rate plan.
No. The GMP battery program (Powerwall lease, Enphase lease, and BYOD incentive) is only available to Green Mountain Power customers. BED and VEC do not offer comparable battery programs. BED customers who want a battery must purchase one outright without utility incentives.
Yes. Burlington Electric Department (BED) achieved 100% renewable electricity in 2014, making Burlington the first city in the US to do so. BED sources from a mix of hydro, biomass, wind, and solar. Because BED is already 100% renewable, the environmental argument for rooftop solar is weaker in Burlington. However, solar still provides bill savings and energy independence for BED customers.
No. Your utility is determined by your geographic location. GMP serves approximately 75% of Vermont, VEC serves about 10% (primarily northern and eastern rural areas), and BED serves Burlington only. Several smaller municipal utilities and co-ops serve the remaining areas. You cannot switch between utilities.
Interconnection typically takes 1-4 weeks depending on the utility and system size. All VT solar installations require a Certificate of Public Good (CPG) from the VT PUC, which is an additional step not found in most states. For residential Category I systems (under 15 kW), the CPG process is streamlined and usually handled by your installer. Larger systems have a more involved regulatory process.
Yes. The VT PUC has cut net metering rates 7 consecutive years. This is the worst NM trend in New England. Every year you wait, the economics get worse for new solar installations. Existing systems keep their locked-in rates, but new systems get the current (lower) rate. This makes acting sooner rather than later important for Vermont solar.
Whether you are on GMP, VEC, or BED, solar makes financial sense in Vermont. Net metering rates are declining every year, so locking in today's rates is important. NuWatt Energy designs systems optimized for your specific utility and rate structure.